adventures and ponderings of a 2 dog family with a very cute little late comer

Saturday, April 16, 2011

grateful for - Vintage resilience

I have returned to work for 3 half days a week. Well in fact more like 3/4 days by the time paper work is done and arrive home about 2.30-3pm. Getting my nappy brain into gear has being a bit of a challenge to my confidence. However I have been reflecting on my consulting style and finding now as a mother how this tempers my approach.

I have been doing this now for 16 years. Hard to believe. You get to see the highs and lows of humanity. Overall it has been a privlege to be part of people's lives. To have their trust.

There is a cohort of patients that I really love to see. Women of a certain vintage that are still standing strong. Often they are widowed or have never married. They are of average age 83 years. They are fiercely independent. They usually don't have much wrong with them, usually on little or no medication and have some strong but simple health beliefs. They never complain about being "tired" and don't request a full body CT scan or serum rhubarb (medical slang for every test under the sun). They often just come in for a chat. More like a social visit. They often live alone and many of their friends have passed away. I love listening to their take on things and they give me great advice about being a Mum and raising children.

Hi Jill,I bet you miss little man those work days but it's a good decision, a good balance for you both.When I'm in my 80's I want to be just like those ladies, I would love to know their health beliefs. My nan would have fallen into that cohort, she died at 93, I think only because she went into a home and lost her heart. She only ate 'real food', drank a warm half glass of water every morn with a squeeze of lemon, walked everywhere, worked hard every day, laughed often and helped all in need. Those ladies deserve our respect and admiration,They are lucky you are there.Vickixx

i am loving this post, it reminds me of my Nana, she is 83, widowed, never tired, still going strong and an absolute inspiration to me. She had 7 kids in 8 years in the 50's - since I became a mother myself I am in awe of her...

I bet they are amazing, i just love those ladies & very much look forward to being one. I will voice my opinion, attend the Yoga classes & hopefully be on little to no medication too. So hope to not be alone, i'm so grateful my parents still have each other in their 70s with 55 years of marriage under their belt, i watch my father-in-law grow into old age alone, its been 12 years since we lost my mother-in-law to breast cancer, so unfair they didn't get to complete their love story. A beautiful post & quite the impressive image too. Love Posie

Just found your blog after your comment on mine...I TOTALLY understand. I still practise a day a week as a pharmacist doing Home Medication Reviews and I LOVE those ladies! Often they are so excited that someone is coming to their own home - I get tea, bikkies the works. It took me a long time to realise though that I was making a real difference by connecting with these people...in fact it took a couple of corporate jobs to realise what WE do is really important...in more than just a medical or health sense! Have a great day...Renae (aka suzy hausfrau)

About Me

Jill to most, Jilly to some and Jillian mostly when I am in trouble. Taking time out out to record the little things of life. I find this is a place I can concentrate on the positive. I am a working Mama, but dream of staying at home, baking cakes, sewing bunting and crochet. I love to draw and dabble in watercolour. I am learning to take better photos. I really need to do yoga again but find it hard to find the time. I love things from the year I was born. I cherish the connections this space has given me.